Wireless node/wireless network system

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure provide a wireless node in a wireless network with a grid topology for routing a message. The wireless node includes circuitry configured to receive a message including a destination node identification number, calculate a destination column and a destination row based on the destination node identification number, determine a next hop address based on the destination column and the destination row, and transmit the message including the next hop address to a next hop node.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of Ser. No. 15/070,149, nowallowed, having a filing date of Mar. 15, 2016, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to routing protocols in wireless sensornetworks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years there has been an interest in the development of ad-hocnetworks, for example for monitoring inside or outside spaces. An ad-hocnetwork includes a set of autonomous nodes each of which includes awireless transceiver and would also typically include a microprocessorand input or output devices for interfacing with the environment of thenetwork. One important category of Ad-Hoc networks is wireless sensornetworks. Wireless sensor networks can be used indoors or outdoors forsafety (e.g., fire detection), security (e.g., intruder detection) orroutine operations (e.g., HVAC) applications for example.

Wireless sensor networks are sometimes designed to be self-powered byincluding a battery or environmental energy harvesting (e.g., solarpanel) device, so the power available for operating each node of thewireless sensor network may be limited. Setting up an ad-hoc networkinvolves discovery of routes to all other nodes in the network whichtypically involves flooding the network with special route discoverymessages and may be energy intensive. Additionally routing tables mustbe maintained in memory.

It would be desirable to have a routing protocol for wireless sensornetworks that avoids the need for route discovery and for maintainingrouting tables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the disclosure provide a wireless node in a wireless networkwith a grid topology for routing a message. The wireless node includescircuitry configured to receive a message including a destination nodeidentification number D_(ID), calculate a destination column D_(C) and adestination row D_(R) based on the destination node identificationnumber, D_(ID), determine a next hop address based on the destinationcolumn D_(C) and the destination row D_(R), and transmit the messageincluding the next hop address to a next hop node.

In an embodiment, the circuitry is configured to calculate thedestination column D_(C) by evaluating:D _(C) =D _(ID) mod N,where N is a number of logical columns into which the wireless networkis divided, and calculate the destination row D_(R) by evaluating:D _(R)=floor(D _(ID) /N),where N is a number of logical columns into which the wireless isdivided.

In an example, the circuitry is configured to:

-   -   in a first case that the destination column D_(C) is equal to a        column of the wireless node S_(C) and the destination        identification number D_(ID) is greater than a source        identification number S_(ID) of the wireless node, set a next        hop address to S_(ID)−N;    -   in a second case that the destination column D_(C) is equal to        the column of the wireless node S_(C) and the destination        identification number D_(ID) is less than the source        identification number S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the next        hop address to S_(ID)−N;    -   in a third case that the destination row D_(R) is equal to a row        of the wireless node S_(R) and the destination identification        number D_(ID) is greater than the source identification number        S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the next hop address to        S_(ID)+1;    -   in a fourth case that the destination row D_(R) is equal to the        row of the wireless node S_(R) and the destination        identification number D_(ID) is less than the source        identification number S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the next        hop address to S_(ID)−1; wherein the first case, the second        case, the third case and the fourth case are checked prior to        checking a fifth case, a sixth case, a seventh case and an eight        case;    -   in the fifth case that the destination column D_(C) is greater        than the column of the wireless node S_(C) and the destination        identification number D_(ID) is greater than the source        identification number S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the next        hop address to S_(ID)−N+1;    -   in the sixth case that the destination column D_(C) is greater        than the column of the wireless node S_(C) and the destination        identification number D_(ID) is less than the source        identification number S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the next        hop address to S_(ID)−N+1;    -   in the seventh case that the destination column D_(C) is less        than the column of the wireless node S_(C) and the destination        identification number D_(ID) is greater than the source        identification number S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the next        hop address to S_(ID)−N−1; and    -   in the eighth case that the destination column D_(C) is less        than the column of the wireless node S_(C) and the destination        identification number D_(ID) is less than the source        identification number S_(ID) of the wireless node set the next        hop address to S_(ID)−N−1.

In an example, the wireless network has a three dimensional (3D)topology, and the circuitry is further configured to calculate adestination level D_(L) from the destination node identification numberD_(ID).

In the example, the circuitry is configured to calculate the destinationcolumn D_(C) by evaluating:D _(C) −D _(ID) mod Nwhere, N is a number of logical columns into which the wireless networkis divided, calculate the destination row D_(R) by evaluating:D _(R)=(floor(D _(ID) /N))mod Mwhere, M is a number of logical rows into which the wireless network isdivided, and calculate the destination level D_(L) by evaluating:DL floor(D _(ID)/(NM)).

In the example, the circuitry is configured to:

-   -   in a first case that the destination level D_(L) is equal to a        source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the destination        column D_(C) is equal to a source column S_(C) of the wireless        node AND either the destination row D_(R) is greater than a        source row S_(R) of the wireless node OR a destination ID D_(ID)        is greater than a source ID S_(ID), set a next hop address to a        source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) plus N;    -   in a second case that the destination level D_(L) is equal to        the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the destination        column D_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) of the wireless        node AND either the destination row D_(R) is less than the        source row S_(R) of the wireless node OR the destination ID        D_(ID) is less than the source ID S_(ID), set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) minus N;    -   in a third case that the destination level D_(L) is equal to the        source level S_(C) of the wireless node AND the destination row        D_(R) is equal to the source row S_(R) of the wireless node AND        either the destination column D_(C) is greater than the source        column S_(C) of the wireless node OR the destination ID D_(ID)        is greater than the source ID S_(ID) set the next hop address to        the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) plus 1;    -   in a fourth case that the destination level D_(L) is equal to        the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the destination        row D_(R) is equal to the source row S_(R) of the wireless node        AND either the destination column D_(C) is less than the source        column S_(C) of the wireless node OR the destination ID D_(ID)        is less than the source ID S_(ID), set the next hop address to        the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) minus 1;    -   in a fifth case that the destination level D_(L) is equal to the        source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the destination        column D_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C) of the        wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is less than the        source row S_(R) of the wireless node set the next hop address        to the source ID of the wireless node S_(ID) plus N plus 1;    -   in a sixth case that the destination level D_(L) is equal to the        source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the destination        column D_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C) of the        wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is less than the        source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop address        to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) minus N plus 1;    -   in a seventh case that the destination level D_(L) is equal to        the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the destination        column D_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) of the        wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is greater than the        source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop address        to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) plus N minus 1;    -   in an eighth case that the destination level D_(L) is equal to        the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the destination        column D_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) of the        wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is less than the        source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop address        to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) minus N minus 1;    -   in a ninth case that the destination column D_(C) is equal to        the source column S_(C) of the wireless node AND the destination        row D_(R) is equal to the source row S_(R) of the wireless node        AND either destination level D_(L) is greater than the source        level S_(L) of the wireless node OR the destination ID D_(ID) is        greater than the source ID S_(ID), set the next hop address to        the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) plus NM;    -   in a tenth case that the destination column D_(C) is equal to        the source column S_(C) of the wireless node AND the destination        row D_(R) is equal to the source row S_(R) of the wireless node        AND either destination level D_(L) is less than the source level        S_(L) of the wireless node OR the destination ID D_(ID) is less        than the source ID S_(ID), set the next hop address to the        source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) minus NM;    -   in an eleventh case that the destination level D_(L) is greater        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C)        of the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is greater        than the source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) plus NM        plus N plus 1;    -   in an twelfth case that the destination level D_(L) is greater        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C)        of the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is less than        the source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) plus NM        minus N plus 1;    -   in an thirteenth case that the destination level D_(L) is        greater than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) of        the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is greater than        the source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) plus NM        plus N minus 1;    -   in a fourteenth case that the destination level D_(L) is greater        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) of        the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is less than the        source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop address        to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) plus NM minus N        minus 1;    -   in a fifteenth case that the destination level D_(L) is less        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C)        of the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is greater        than the source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) minus NM        plus N plus 1;    -   in a sixteenth case that the destination level D_(L) is less        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C)        of the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is less than        the source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) minus NM        minus N plus 1;    -   in a seventeenth case that the destination level D_(L) is less        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) of        the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is greater than        the source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) minus NM        plus N minus 1;    -   in an eighteenth case that the destination level D_(L) is less        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) of        the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is less than the        source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop address        to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) minus NM minus N        minus 1;    -   in a nineteenth case that the destination level D_(L) is greater        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) of        the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is greater than        the source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) plus NM        plus N;    -   in a twentieth case that the destination level D_(L) is greater        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is equal to the source column S_(L) of        the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is less than the        source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop address        to the source ID of the wireless node to S_(ID) plus NM minus N;    -   in a twenty first case that the destination level D_(L) is less        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is equal to the source column S_(L) of        the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is greater than        the source row of the wireless node, set the next hop address to        the source ID of the wireless node S_(ID) minus NM plus N;    -   in a twenty second case that the destination Level D_(L) is less        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) of        the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is less than the        source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop address        to the source ID of the wireless node S_(ID) minus NM minus N;    -   in a twenty third case that the destination level D_(L) is        greater than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C)        of the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is equal to        the source row S_(R) of the wireless node set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node S_(ID) plus NM        plus 1;    -   in a twenty fourth case that the destination level D_(L) is less        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C)        of the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is equal to        the source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node S_(ID) plus NM        minus 1;    -   in a twenty fifth case that the destination level D_(L) is less        than the source level S_(L) of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C)        of the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is equal to        the source row S_(R) of the wireless node, set the next hop        address to the source ID of the wireless node S_(ID) minus NM        plus 1; and    -   in a twenty sixth case that the destination level D_(L) is less        than the source level SL of the wireless node AND the        destination column D_(C) is less than the source column SC of        the wireless node AND the destination row D_(R) is equal to the        source row SR of the wireless node, set the next hop address to        the source ID of the wireless node S_(ID) minus NM minus 1.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for routing a message at awireless node in a wireless network having a grid topology. The methodincludes receiving a message including a destination node identificationnumber, D_(ID), calculating a destination column D_(C) and a destinationrow D_(R) based on the destination node identification number, D_(ID),determining a next hop address based on the destination column D_(C) andthe destination row D_(R), and transmitting the message including thenext hop address to a next hop node.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a wireless network including wireless nodes arranged in agrid according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one of the wireless nodes of the wirelessnetwork shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the network shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a network according to analternative implementation;

FIG. 5 is a first part of a flowchart of a process for routing messagesin networks shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4; and

FIG. 6 is a second part of the flowchart of the process for routingmessages in the networks shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of wireless network includingwireless nodes arranged in a 3-D grid according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a first part of a flowchart of a process for routing messagesin the 3-D grid wireless network represented in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a second part of the process for routing messages in the 3-Dgrid wireless network represented in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a third part of the process for routing messages in the 3-Dgrid wireless network represented in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 shows a wireless network 100 including sixteen wireless nodes0-15 arranged in a grid according to an embodiment of the disclosure.The grid includes four rows 102, 104, 106, 108 including a zeroth row102, a first row 104, a second row 106 and a third row 108. The gridincludes four columns 110, 112, 114, 116 including a zeroth column 110,a first column 112, a second column 114, and a third column 116.Alternatively, networks according to the present teachings can have anarbitrary number of rows greater than one and an arbitrary number ofcolumns greater than one. As shown in FIG. 1 the zeroth row 102 is thelowermost row and the zeroth column is the leftmost column.Alternatively the rows can be numbered from top to bottom andalternatively the columns can be numbered from right to left.

The nodes 0-15 are numbered sequentially from a first node correspondingto the zeroth column to a last node corresponding to the last column ineach row, and from the zeroth row to the last row in the grid.Accordingly, the number assigned to each node 0-15 is referred to as anidentification number (ID) of the corresponding node. For example, node0 in FIG. 1 has an ID of 0, and node 10 has an ID of 10.

Each node 0-15 has a number of neighbor nodes including nodes in thediagonal direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the node 5 haseight neighbor nodes 0-4, and 6-10, and nodes 1, 2, 8, and 10 are nodesin the diagonal direction from the node 5. Each node 0-15 transmits andreceives wireless signals to communicate with its neighbor nodes, andtransmission range of each node 0-15 covers its neighbor nodes includingnodes in the diagonal direction.

In one example, the wireless network 100 is a wireless sensor network(WSN). Generally, a WSN includes spatially distributed autonomoussensors to monitor physical or environmental conditions, such astemperature, sound, pressure, etc. and to cooperatively pass their datathrough the network to a main location. A WSN is built of nodes from afew to several hundreds or thousands, where each node is connected toone or more sensors.

In an embodiment, the wireless network 100 is a WSN where data istransmitted from any source node to destination node. In addition, datais included in a message when transmitted from a source node to adestination node. During a process of message transmission, a messagethat includes an ID of the destination node (represented as D_(ID)) as adestination address is first generated at the source node, then routedalong a route including a sequential of nodes, and finally reaches adestination node.

During the process, after generating or receiving the message, each nodealong the route except the destination node needs to make a next hopdecision to select a node from its neighbor node as the next hop node. Anode that receives a message and is currently making a next hop decisionin the process is referred to as a current node. After the next hop nodeis selected, the ID of the next hop node (referred to as a next hop ID,also referred to as a next hop address) is included in the message, andthe current node transmits a wireless signal including the message. Theneighbor nodes of the current node receive the wireless signal, and eachcheck the next hop ID included in the message. Consequently, a nodewhose ID is the same as the next hop ID in the message knows itself isthe next hop node, and can start to make another hop decision to forwardthe message.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the wireless network 100 usesan ID-based routing protocol to make next hop decision in order to routea message through the wireless network 100 from a source node to adestination node. In this ID-based routing protocol, each node along theroute can determine a next hop ID based on an ID of the current node,referred to as a source ID, and represented as S_(ID), and a destinationID, D_(ID) of the destination node. Specifically, a current node canfirst calculate a destination column, represented as D_(C) and adestination row, represented as D_(R), based on the D_(ID) of thedestination node. The D_(C) refers to the ordinal number of the columnof the destination node, and D_(R) refers to the ordinal number of therow of the destination node. Then, the current node can compare theD_(C) and D_(R) with a source column, represented as S_(C) and a sourcerow, represented as S_(R) to determine a next hop ID, where the S_(C)refers to the ordinal number of the column of the current node and theS_(R) refers to the ordinal number of the row of the current node. Thenext hop ID is subsequently included in the message and used as anaddress of the next hop node.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the zeroth node 0 of the wireless network100 shown in FIG. 1. The other nodes 1-15 of the wireless network 100can have the same or a different design. The zeroth node 0 includes atransceiver 202, a microprocessor 204, a memory 206, an input/output(I/O) interface 208 coupled together through a signal bus 210. Thetransceiver 202 is coupled to an antenna 212. The I/O interface 208 iscoupled to a digital-to-analog converter (D/A) 214 and ananalog-to-digital converter (A/D) 216. Analog inputs 218, such as, forexample, sensor inputs, are coupled to the A/D 216. Analog outputs 220,such as, for example, servomotors are coupled to the D/A 214. A programthat is described below with reference to FIGS. 5-6 that is used toroute messages in the network 100 is stored in the memory 206 andexecuted by the microprocessor 204. The memory 206 is one form ofcomputer readable medium. Alternatively, an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), amicrocontroller, or other circuitry can be used in lieu of themicroprocessor 204 and memory 206.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the network shown in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 3 the wireless nodes 0-15 are laid out precisely in a gridpattern. In practice the locations of the wireless nodes 0-15 candeviate somewhat from the precise grid pattern shown in FIG. 3 as longas the each of the wireless nodes 0-15 is within communication range ofits neighboring nodes. For example, FIG. 4 shows a case of a wirelessnetwork 400 where although the positions of the wireless nodes 0-15deviate somewhat from the position of the precise grid layout the samerouting protocol that is conceptually based on the grid layout in FIG. 3and is described below with reference to FIGS. 5-6 can be used. In thenetwork 400 although the nodes 0-15 are not exactly aligned in columnsthe nodes grouped in columns 110, 112, 114, 116 can still be treated aslogical columns for the purpose of the routing process 500 describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 5-6. It will be appreciated that one canrotate the wireless networks 100, 400 by ninety degrees in which casethe “columns” will extend sideways without altering the functioning ofthe routing process 500 described below with reference to FIGS. 5-6. Ina real world implementation it makes no difference whether the logicalcolumns extend North to South, East to West, down to up or any otherdirection.

FIGS. 5-6 show a flowchart of a process 500 of routing messages innetworks shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4. The process 500 is executed by each ofwireless nodes, e.g., 1-15 in the network e.g., 100, 400 in order toroute messages. For convenience in describing the process 500, unlessotherwise stated, it will be assumed that process 500 is being executedby a K^(TH) wireless node, where K stands for any node identificationnumber (ID). In block 502 a message which has a destination addressdenoted D_(ID) is either received by the K^(TH) wireless node ororiginated in the K^(TH) wireless node. In the context of the networks100, 400 D_(ID) stands for one of the node IDs 0-15. The process 500 ofrouting messages is not dependent on whether the message is beingoriginated or forwarded. In a sense the process 500 is stateless. Inblock 504 the destination column is set according to equation 1 below:D _(C) =D _(ID) mod N  EQU. 1where, Dc is the destination node's column, D_(ID) is defined above, andN is the number of logical columns in the grid of the wireless network.

The mod function computes the remainder after dividing the firstargument D_(ID) by the second argument N. In block 506 the destinationrow is set according to equation 2 below:D _(R)=floor(D _(ID) /N)  EQU. 2where D_(R) is the destination node's row, D_(ID) is defined above, andN is defined above.

The floor function computes the greatest integer that is less than itsargument which in equation 2 is the quotient D_(ID)/N. After executingblock 506 the process 500 proceeds to decision block 508 which tests ifthe destination column D_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) AND (inthis specification AND in all caps is a Boolean AND) the destination IDD_(ID) is greater than the source ID S_(ID). Note that each wirelessnode 0-15 suitably has its node ID S_(ID), i.e., one of the numbers 0-15stored in its memory. For the purpose of executing process 500 eachnode's node ID is the source ID S_(ID). If the outcome of decision block508 is positive then in block 510 the next hop address is set toS_(ID)+N. With reference to FIG. 1, assuming the process 500 is beingexecuted by the fifth wireless node 5 the aforementioned outcome ofdecision block 508 corresponds to the line (representing a hop) labeled−N that extends from the fifth wireless node 5 to the ninth wirelessnode 9. For example, the outcome of decision block 508 would be positiveif the source ID S_(ID) is five the destination ID D_(ID) is nine orthirteen.

If, on the other hand, the outcome of decision block 508 is negative,then the process 500 branches to decision block 512 the outcome of whichdepends on whether the destination column D_(C) is equal to the sourcecolumn S_(C) AND the destination ID D_(ID) is less than the source IDS_(ID). If the outcome of decision block 512 is positive then in block514 the next hop address is set to S_(ID)−N. With reference to FIG. 1,assuming the process 500 is being executed by the fifth wireless node 5the aforementioned outcome of decision block 512 corresponds to the line(representing a hop) labeled −N that extends from the fifth wirelessnode 5 to the first wireless node 1. For example, the outcome ofdecision block 512 would be positive if the source ID S_(ID) is five thedestination ID D_(ID) is two.

If, on the other hand, the outcome of decision block 512 is negative,then the process 500 branches to decision block 516 the outcome of whichdepends on whether the destination row D_(R) is equal to the source rowS_(R) AND the destination ID D_(ID) is greater than the source IDS_(ID). If the outcome of decision block 516 is positive then in block518 the next hop address is set to S_(ID)+1. With reference to FIG. 1,assuming the process 500 is being executed by the fifth wireless node 5the aforementioned outcome of decision block 516 corresponds to the line(representing a hop) labeled +1 that extends from the fifth wirelessnode 5 to the sixth wireless node 6. For example, the outcome ofdecision block 516 would be positive if the source ID S_(ID) is five thedestination ID D_(ID) is six or seven.

If, on the other hand, the outcome of decision block 516 is negative,then the process 500 branches to decision block 520 the outcome of whichdepends on whether the destination row D_(R) is equal to the source rowS_(R) AND the destination ID D_(ID) is less than the source ID S_(ID).If the outcome of decision block 520 is positive then in block 522 thenext hop address is set to S_(ID)−1. With reference to FIG. 1, assumingthe process 500 is being executed by the fifth wireless node 5 theaforementioned outcome of decision block 520 corresponds to the line(representing a hop) labeled −1 that extends from the fifth wirelessnode 5 to the fourth wireless node 4. For example, the outcome ofdecision block 520 would be positive if the source ID S_(ID) is five thedestination ID D_(ID) is four.

If, on the other hand, the outcome of decision block 520 is negative,then the process 500 branches to decision block 524 the outcome of whichdepends on whether the destination column D_(C) is greater than thesource column S_(C) AND the destination ID D_(ID) is greater than thesource ID S_(ID). Note that that the inequality tests in decision blocks524, 528, 532 could also be met by combinations of D_(C), S_(C), D_(ID)and S_(ID) values that satisfy the inequality tests in decision blocks508, 512, 516, 520, for example the inequality tests of block 524 couldbe met for a combination of values also satisfying block 516 howeverthose cases will trigger positive outcomes of one of decision blocks508, 512, 516, 520 which will lead to blocks 524, 528, 532 beingbypassed. None of decision blocks 524, 528, 532 will be evaluated incases in which the outcome of any of decision blocks 508, 512, 516 and520 is positive. So the outcome of all of the decision blocks 508, 512,516 and 520 must be negative for any of the decision blocks 524, 528,532 to be reached and evaluated. If the outcome of decision block 524 ispositive then in block 526 the next hop address is set to S_(ID)+N+1.With reference to FIG. 1, assuming the process 500 is being executed bythe fifth wireless node 5 the aforementioned outcome of decision block524 corresponds to the line (representing a hop) labeled −N−1 thatextends from the fifth wireless node 5 to the tenth wireless node 10.For example, the outcome of decision block 524 would be positive if thesource ID S_(ID) is live the destination ID D_(ID) is ten, elevenfourteen or fifteen.

If, on the other hand, the outcome of decision block 524 is negative,then the process 500 branches to decision block 528 the outcome of whichdepends on whether the destination column D_(C) is greater than thesource column S_(C) AND the destination ID D_(ID) is less than thesource ID S_(ID). If the outcome of decision block 528 is positive thenin block 530 the next hop address is set to S_(ID)−N−1. With referenceto FIG. 1, assuming the process 500 is being executed by the fifthwireless node 5 the aforementioned outcome of decision block 528corresponds to the line (representing a hop) labeled −N+1 that extendsfrom the fifth wireless node 5 to the second wireless node 2. Forexample, the outcome of decision block 528 would be positive if thesource ID S_(ID) is five the destination ID D_(ID) is two or three.

If, on the other hand, the outcome of decision block 528 is negative,then the process 500 branches to decision block 532 the outcome of whichdepends on whether the destination column D_(C) is less than the sourcecolumn S_(C) AND the destination ID D_(ID) is greater than the source IDS_(ID). IF the outcome of decision block 532 is positive then in block534 the next hop address is set to S_(ID)−N−1. With reference to FIG. 1,assuming the process 500 is being executed by the fifth wireless node 5the aforementioned outcome of decision block 532 corresponds to the line(representing a hop) labeled +N−1 that extends from the fifth wirelessnode 5 to the eighth wireless node 8. For example, the outcome ofdecision block 532 would be positive lithe source ID S_(ID) is five thedestination ID D_(ID) is eight or twelve.

If the outcome of decision block 532 is negative then in block 536 thenext hop address is set to SID−N−1. The negative outcome of block 532corresponds to the case in which D_(C) is less than the source columnS_(C) AND the destination ID D_(ID) is less than the source ID S_(ID).With reference to FIG. 1, assuming the process 500 is being executed bythe fifth wireless node 5 the aforementioned outcome of decision block532 corresponds to the line (representing a hop) labeled −N−1 thatextends from the fifth wireless node 5 to the zeroth wireless node 0.

After executing either block 510, block 514, block 518, block 522, block526, block 530, block 534 or block 536 the process 500 continues withblock 602 in FIG. 6 in which the message which was received ororiginated in block 502 is transmitted to a next hop which wasdetermined in blocks 504-536 as described above.

Next, the process 500 proceeds to decision block 604 the outcome ofwhich depends on whether the next hop “Next Hop” wireless nodes was thedestination node identified as D_(ID).

If the outcome of decision block 604 is positive then the process 500terminates and will be re-executed to handle each new message that isreceived or originated per block 502. Alternatively, each K^(TH) deviceexecuting the process 500 could be configured to await acknowledgementof receipt (an ACK message) from the destination node D_(ID) beforeterminating.

If on the other hand the outcome of decision block 604 is negative, thenthe process 500 proceeds to block 606 in which the K^(TH) device willlisten for retransmission by the wireless node to which the message wassent in block 602. In block 606 the K^(TH) device is in operating in apromiscuous listen-only mode. The process 500 then proceeds to decisionblock 608 the outcome of which depends on whether the K^(TH) nodedetected retransmission of the message that was transmitted in block602. If the outcome of decision block 608 is positive then the process500 terminates and will be re-executed when a new message is received ororiginated in block 502.

If on the other hand the outcome of decision block 608 is negativemeaning that retransmission was not detected, then the process 500proceeds to decision block 610 the outcome of which depends on whether apreprogrammed retransmission tries limit has been reached. If theoutcome of decision block 610 is negative, the process 500 proceeds todecision block 612 in which the K^(TH) device retries the transmissionperformed in block 602 and thereafter in block 614 increments aretransmission tries counter. Note that in block 610 a current value ofthe retransmission tries counter (at the time of execution of block 610)is compared to the aforementioned preprogrammed retransmission limit.After executing block 614 the process loops back to block 606 andcontinues executing as previously described.

When the outcome of block 610 is affirmative meaning that theretransmission tries limit has been reached, the process 500 branches toblock 616 in which the message is transmitted to a different node otherthan the node identified in blocks 504-536. The aforementioned differentnode may be a next hop in an equally short route or a next shortestroute.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of wireless network 700 includingwireless nodes arranged in a 3-D grid according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. The wireless network 700 includes three levels 702, 704, 706including a zeroth level 702, a first level 704, and a second level 706.In this exemplary embodiment there are 48 wireless nodes numbered 0 to47. Each of the three levels 702, 704, 706 includes 16 nodes arranged ina grid pattern. The zeroth level 702 includes nodes 0-15, the firstlevel 704 includes nodes 16-31 and the second level 706 includes nodes32-47. The nodes are numbered sequentially proceeding left-to-rightstarting with a zeroth row (which in the depiction in FIG. 7 is theforeground row) and proceeding through successive rows returning to theleft-most wireless node to start the enumeration within each row fromthe zeroth level 702 to the second level 706. Accordingly, the numberassigned to each node is referred to as an identification number (ID) ofthe corresponding node. The columns within each level 702, 704, 706 arenumbered sequentially starting at the zeroth column which is the leftmost column in each level. The numbering of the columns and rows in thelevels 702, 704, 706 of the wireless network is the same as thenumbering of the columns and rows in the wireless network 100 which isdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1. 3-D grid wireless networksaccording to embodiment of the present disclosure can by referred to asM×N×L where M is the number of rows in each level N is the number ofcolumns in each level and L is the number of levels. As shown in FIG. 7the number of rows in each level M is equal to 4 the number of columnsin each level N is equal to 4 and the number of levels is equal to 3,however this is but one example, and M, N, and L can take on any integervalues greater than 1.

Each node in the wireless network 700 has a number of neighbor nodesincluding nodes in the direction of cube diagonals. For example, thenode 22 in the first level 704 has 26 neighbor nodes including 1-3, 5-7,1-11, 17-19, 21, 23, 25-27, 33-35, 37-39, and 41-43. These 26 neighbornodes and the node 22 form a cube with the eight nodes 1, 3, 9, 11, 33,35, 41, and 43 as the vertexes of the cube. Each node in the wirelessnetwork 700 transmits and receives wireless signals to communicate withits neighbor nodes, and transmission range of each node covers itsneighbor nodes including nodes in the direction of cube diagonal, suchas the eight vertexes in the above example.

In an embodiment, the wireless network 700 is a WSN where data istransmitted from any source node to destination node. In addition, datais included in a message when transmitted from a source node to adestination node. During a process of message transmission, a messagethat includes an ID of the destination node (represented as D_(ID)) as adestination address is first generated at the source node, then routedalong a route including a sequential of nodes, and finally reaches adestination node.

During the process, after generating or receiving the message, each nodealong the route except the destination node needs to make a next hopdecision to select a node from its neighbor node as the next hop node. Anode that receives a message and is currently making a next hop decisionin the process is referred to as a current node. After the next hop nodeis selected, the ID of the next hop node (referred to as a next hop ID,and also referred to as a next hop address) is included in the message,and the current node transmits a wireless signal including the message.The neighbor nodes of the current node receive the wireless signal, andeach check the next hop ID included in the message. Consequently, a nodewhose ID is the same as the next hop ID in the message knows itself isthe next hop node, and can start to make another hop decision to forwardthe message.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the wireless network 700 usesan ID-based routing protocol to make next hop decision in order to routea message through the wireless network 700 from a source node to adestination node. In this ID-based routing protocol, each node along theroute can determine a next hop ID based on an ID of the current node,referred to as a source ID, and represented as S_(ID), and a destinationID, D_(ID) of the destination node. Specifically, a current node canfirst calculate a destination column, represented as D_(C), adestination row represented as D_(R), and a destination level,represented as D_(L), based on the D_(ID) of the destination node. TheD_(C) refers to the ordinal number of the column of the destinationnode, D_(R) refers to the ordinal number of the row of the destinationnode, and D₁ refers to the ordinal number of the level of thedestination node. Then, the current node can compare the D_(C), D_(R),and D_(L) with a source column, represented as S_(C), a source row,represented as S_(R), and a source level, represented as D_(L) todetermine a next hop ID, where the S_(C) refers to the ordinal number ofthe column of the current node, the S_(R) refers to the ordinal numberof the row of the current node, and the S₁, refers to the ordinal numberof the level of the current node.

FIG. 8-10 are three parts of a flowchart of a process 800 of routingmessages in the 3-D grid wireless network 700 represented in FIG. 7. Theprocess 800 is executed by each wireless nodes 0-47 in the 3-D gridwireless network 700 in order to route messages. The same process 800 isused by a node whether it is originating a message or merely forwardingthe message. The process 800 will be described below from theperspective of a K^(TH) wireless node executing the process where Kstands for an integer identifying the wireless node. In block 802 amessage is received or originated by the KTH wireless node. The messageincludes a destination ID D_(ID). In block 804 the destination column isset according to equation 1 given above. Note that no adjustment ofequation 1 is required for the 3-D case. Next in block 806 thedestination row D_(R) is calculated according to equation 3 given below:D _(R)=(floor(D _(ID) /N))mod M  EQU. 3

Next in block 807 the destination level D_(L) is calculated according toequation 4 given below:D _(L)=floor(D _(ID)/(NM))  EQU. 4

Note that each K^(TH) wireless node includes (e.g., stored in memory)the values of N and M. Furthermore each K^(TH) wireless node includes(e.g., stored in memory) information indicating its own column S_(C),information indicating its own row S_(R) and information indicating itsown level S_(L), or includes (e.g., stored in memory) its own ID S_(ID)and by substituting S_(ID) for the D_(ID) in equations 1, 3, 4 eachK^(TH) wireless node can calculate from equations 1, 3, 4 respectivelyits own column S_(C), its own row S_(R) and its own level S_(L). In thecontext of process 800 S_(C), S_(R) and S_(L) are referred torespectively as the source column, source row and source level.

Referring again to FIG. 8, decision block 808 test if the destinationlevel D_(L) is equal to the source level S_(L) AND the destinationcolumn D_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) and the destination rowD_(R) is greater than the source row S_(R). If the outcome of block 808is positive the process proceeds to block 810 in which a next hopaddress (for the message that was received or originated in block 802)is set to the source ID plus N (S_(ID)+N).

If the outcome of decision block 808 is negative the process 800proceeds to decision block 812 which tests if the destination levelD_(L) is equal to the source level S_(L) AND the destination columnD_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) AND the destination ID D_(ID)is less than the source ID S_(ID). If the outcome of decision block 808is positive the process 800 proceeds to block 814 in which the next hopaddress is set to the source ID minus N (S_(ID)−N).

If the outcome of decision block 812 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 816 which tests if the destination levelD_(L) is equal to the source level S_(L) AND the destination row D_(R)is equal to the source row S_(R) and the destination ID D_(ID) isgreater than the source ID S_(ID). If the outcome of decision block 816is positive, the process proceeds to block 818 in which the next hopaddress is set to the source ID plus 1 (S_(ID)+1).

If the outcome of decision block 816 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 820 which tests if the destination level DLis equal to the source level S_(L) AND the destination row D_(R) isequal to the source row S_(R) AND the destination ID is less than thesource ID S_(ID). If the outcome of decision block 820 is positive, theprocess 800 proceeds to block 822 in which the next hop address is setto source ID minus 1 (S_(ID)+1).

If the outcome of decision block 820 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 824 which tests if the destination level D₁,is equal to the source level S_(L) AND the destination column D_(C) isgreater than the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R) isgreater than the source row S_(R). If the outcome of decision block 824is positive, the process 800 proceeds to block 826 in which the next hopaddress is set to the source ID plus N plus 1 (S_(ID)+N+1).

If the outcome of decision block 824 is negative, the process proceedsto decision block 828 which tests if the destination level DL is equalto the source level S_(L) AND the destination column D_(C) is greaterthan the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R) is less thanthe source row S_(R). If the outcome of decision block 828 is positive,the process 800 proceeds to block 830 in which the next hop address isset to the source ID minus N plus 1 (S_(ID) N+1).

If the outcome of decision block 828 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 832 which tests if the destination levelD_(L) is equal to the source level S_(L) AND the destination columnD_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) and the destination row D_(R)is greater than the source row S_(R). If the outcome of decision block832 is positive, the process 800 proceeds to block 834 in which the nexthop address is set to the source ID plus N minus 1 (S_(ID)+N−1).

If the outcome of decision block 832 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 835 which tests if the destination levelD_(L) is equal to the source level S_(L) AND the destination columnD_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R)is less than the source row S_(R). If the outcome of decision block 835is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 836 in which the nexthop address is set to the source ID minus N−1 (S_(ID)−N−1).

If the outcome of decision block 835 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 902 (FIG. 9) which tests if the destinationcolumn D_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) AND the destination rowD_(R) is equal to the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L)is greater than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decisionblock 902 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 904 inwhich the next hop address is set to the source ID plus N times M(S_(ID)+NM).

If the outcome of decision block 902 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 906 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R)is equal to the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L) is lessthan to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decision block 906 ispositive then the process 800 proceeds to block 908 in which the nexthop address is set to the source ID minus N times M (S_(ID)−NM).

If the outcome of decision block 906 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 910 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C) AND the destination rowD_(R) is greater than the source row S_(R) AND the destination levelD_(L) is greater than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome ofdecision block 910 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block912 in which the next hop address is set to the source ID plus N times Mplus N plus one (S_(ID)+NM+N+1).

Note that the conditional statements in blocks 808, 812, 816, 820, 902,and 906 include a single inequality. According to an alternativeembodiment in the inequalities in these blocks 808, 812, 816, 820, 902,and 906 the quantity corresponding to the source, e.g., S_(C), S_(R),S_(L) is replaced by the source ID S_(ID) and the quantity correspondingto the destination, e.g., D_(C), D_(R), D_(L) is replaced by thedestination ID D_(ID).

If the outcome of decision block 910 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 914 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C) AND the destination rowD_(R) is less than the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L)is greater than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decisionblock 914 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 916 inwhich the next hop address is set to the source ID plus N times M plusminus N plus one (S_(ID)+NM−N−1).

If the outcome of decision block 914 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 918 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R)is greater than the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L) isgreater than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decision block918 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 920 in which thenext hop address is set to the source ID plus N times M plus N minus one(S_(ID)+NM+N+1).

If the outcome of decision block 918 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 922 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R)is less than the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L) isgreater than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decision block922 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 924 in which thenext hop address is set to the source ID plus N times M minus N minusone (S_(ID)+NM−N−1).

If the outcome of decision block 922 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 926 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C) AND the destination rowD_(R) is greater than the source row S_(R) AND the destination levelD_(L) is less than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome or decisionblock 926 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 928 inwhich the next hop address is set to the source ID minus N times M plusN plus one (S_(ID)−NM+N+1).

If the outcome of decision block 926 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 930 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C) AND the destination rowD_(R) is less than the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L)is less than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decision block930 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 932 in which thenext hop address is set to the source ID minus N tunes M minus N plusone (S_(ID)−NM−N+1).

If the outcome of decision block 930 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 934 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R)is greater than the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L) isless than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decision block934 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 936 in which thenext hop address is set to the source ID minus N times M plus N minusone (S_(ID)−NM+N−1).

If the outcome of decision block 934 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 938 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R)is less than the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L) isless than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decision block938 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 940 in which thenext hop address is set to the source ID minus N times M minus N minusone (S_(ID)−NM−N−1).

If the outcome of decision block 938 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 1002 (FIG. 10) which tests if the destinationcolumn D_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) AND the destination rowD_(R) is greater than the source row S_(R) AND the destination levelD_(L) is greater than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome ofdecision block 1002 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block1004 in which the next hop address is set to the source ID plus N timesM plus N (S_(ID)+NM+N).

If the outcome of decision block 1002 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 1006 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R)is less than the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L) isgreater than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decision block1006 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 1008 in whichthe next hop address is set to the source ID plus N times M minus N(S_(ID)+NM−N).

If the outcome of decision block 1006 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 1010 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R)is greater than the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L) isless than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decision block1010 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 1012 in whichthe next hop address is set to the source ID minus N times M plus N(S_(ID)−NM+N).

If the outcome of decision block 1010 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 1014 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is equal to the source column S_(C) AND the destination row D_(R)is less than the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L) isless than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decision block1014 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 1016 in whichthe next hop address is set to the source ID minus N times M minus N(S_(ID)−NM−N).

If the outcome of decision block 1014 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 1018 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C) AND the destination rowD_(R) is equal to the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L)is greater than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decisionblock 1018 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 1020 inwhich the next hop address is set to the source 113 plus N times M plusone (S_(ID)+NM+1).

If the outcome of decision block 1018 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 1022 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C) AND the destination rowD_(R) is equal to the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L)is greater than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decisionblock 1022 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 1024 inwhich the next hop address is set to the source ID plus N times M minusone (S_(ID)+NM−1).

If the outcome of decision block 1022 is negative, the process 800proceeds to decision block 1026 which tests if the destination columnD_(C) is greater than the source column S_(C) AND the destination rowD_(R) is equal to the source row S_(R) AND the destination level D_(L)is less than to the source level S_(L). If the outcome of decision block1026 is positive then the process 800 proceeds to block 1028 in whichthe next hop address is set to the source ID minus N times M plus one(S_(ID)−NM+1).

If the outcome of decision block 1026 is negative, the process 800proceeds to block 1030 in which the next hop address is set to thesource ID minus N times M minus one (S_(ID)−NM−1). The negative outcomeof decision block 1026 corresponds to a case in which the destinationcolumn D_(C) is less than the source column S_(C) AND the destinationrow D_(R) is equal to the source row S_(R) AND the destination levelD_(L) is less than to the source level S_(L).

After executing blocks 810, 814, 818, 822, 826, 830, 834, 836, 904, 908,912, 914, 920, 924, 928, 932, 936, 940, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1012, 1016,1020, 1024, 1028 the process 800 continues with block 602 of process 500which is described herein above.

The Boolean OR used herein is an inclusive Boolean OR.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless node in a wireless network with a gridtopology for routing a message, the wireless node being self-powered andhaving a source identification number S_(ID) and located at a columnS_(C) and a row S_(R) of the wireless network, the wireless nodecomprising: a wireless transceiver comprising circuitry and a memory, aninput/output interface, a signal bus and an antenna, wherein thewireless transceiver, the input/output interface and the antenna arecoupled together through the signal bus; wherein the wirelesstransceiver is configured to receive a message including a first nexthop address and a destination node identification number, D_(ID) carriedin a first wireless signal, the message carrying data generated from asensor in the wireless network; and wherein the circuitry is configuredto: determine whether the source identification number S_(ID) is thesame as the first next hop address; and when the source identificationnumber S_(ID) is the same as the first next hop address, calculate adestination column D_(C) and a destination row D_(R) based on thedestination node identification number D_(ID), and determine a secondnext hop address of a next hop node by comparing the destination columnD_(C), the destination row D_(R), and the destination nodeidentification number D_(ID) with the column of the wireless node S_(C),the row of the wireless node S_(R), and the source identification numberof the wireless node S_(ID), without discovery of routes to other nodesin the wireless network and without routing table maintenance, whereinthe next hop node is one of neighboring nodes of the wireless node, andwherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the messageincluding the second next hop address to the next hop node on a secondwireless signal, wherein the wireless network includes a plurality ofwireless nodes that are arranged in columns and rows, and aresequentially assigned, row by row and column by column, with a sequenceof identification numbers.
 2. The wireless node according to claim 1,wherein the circuitry is configured to calculate the destination columnD_(C) by evaluating:D _(C) =D _(ID) mod N, where N is a number of logical columns into whichthe wireless network is divided.
 3. The wireless node according to claim1, wherein the circuitry is configured to calculate the destination rowD_(R) by evaluating:D _(R)=floor(D _(ID) /N), where N is a number of logical columns intowhich the wireless is divided.
 4. The wireless node according to claim3, wherein the circuitry is configured to calculate the destinationcolumn D_(C) by evaluating:D _(C) =D _(ID) mod N, where N is a number of logical columns into whichthe wireless network is divided.
 5. The wireless node according to claim4, wherein in determining the second next hop address, the circuitry isconfigured to evaluate a plurality of Boolean expressions includinginequalities based on the destination column D_(C) and the destinationrow D_(R).
 6. The wireless node according to claim 5, wherein theplurality of Boolean expressions include inequalities including thedestination node identification number D_(ID) and the sourceidentification number of the wireless node S_(ID).
 7. The wireless nodeaccording to claim 6, wherein the circuitry is configured to: in a firstcase that the destination column D_(C) is equal to the column of thewireless node S_(C) and the destination identification number D_(ID) isgreater than the source identification number S_(ID) of the wirelessnode, set a second next hop address to S_(ID)+N; in a second case thatthe destination column D_(C) is equal to the column of the wireless nodeS_(C) and the destination identification number D_(ID) is less than thesource identification number S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the secondnext hop address to S_(ID)−N; in a third case that the destination rowD_(R) is equal to the row of the wireless node S_(R) and the destinationidentification number D_(ID) is greater than the source identificationnumber S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the second next hop address toS_(ID)+1; in a fourth case that the destination row D_(R) is equal tothe row of the wireless node S_(R) and the destination identificationnumber D_(ID) is less than the source identification number S_(ID) ofthe wireless node, set the second next hop address to S_(ID)−1; whereinthe first case, the second case, the third case and the fourth case arechecked prior to checking a fifth case, a sixth case, a seventh case andan eight case; in the fifth case that the destination column D_(C) isgreater than the column of the wireless node S_(C) and the destinationidentification number D_(ID) is greater than the source identificationnumber S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the second next hop address toS_(ID) N+1; in the sixth case that the destination column D_(C) isgreater than the column of the wireless node S_(C) and the destinationidentification number D_(ID) is less than the source identificationnumber S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the second next hop address toS_(ID)− N+1; in the seventh case that the destination column D_(C) isless than the column of the wireless node S_(C) and the destinationidentification number D_(ID) is greater than the source identificationnumber S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the second next hop address toS_(ID) N−1; and in the eighth case that the destination column D_(C) isless than the column of the wireless node S_(C) and the destinationidentification number D_(ID) is less than the source identificationnumber S_(ID) of the wireless node, set the second next hop address toS_(ID)−N−1.
 8. The wireless node according to claim 1 wherein indetermining the second next hop address the circuitry is configured toevaluate a plurality of Boolean expressions including inequalities basedon the destination column D_(C) and the destination row D_(R).
 9. Thewireless node according to claim 1, wherein the wireless network has athree dimensional (3D) topology, and the circuitry is further configuredto calculate a destination level D_(L) from the destination nodeidentification number D_(ID), wherein the plurality of wireless nodesare arranged in columns, rows and levels, and are sequentially assigned,row by row, column by column, and level by level, with the sequence ofidentification numbers.
 10. The wireless node according to claim 9,wherein the circuitry is configured to: calculate the destination columnD_(C) by evaluating:D _(C) =D _(ID) mod N where, N is a number of logical columns into whichthe wireless network is divided; calculate the destination row D_(R) byevaluating:D _(R)=(floor(D _(ID) /N))mod M where, M is a number of logical rowsinto which the wireless network is divided; and calculate thedestination level D_(L) by evaluating:D _(L)=floor(D _(ID)/(NM)).
 11. The wireless node according to claim 10,wherein in determining the second next hop address, the circuitry isconfigured to evaluate a plurality of Boolean expressions includinginequalities based on the destination column D_(C), the destination rowD_(R) and the destination level D_(L).